Hogs Haven
The Athletic (paywall)
Leading up to the 2024 NFL draft, Daniels’ college pressure-to-sack rate of 24.5 percent was a significant talking point and concern. Yes, he was a rare athlete who could hang with the top pocket passers and also break away for a touchdown run. But could he avoid the unnecessary hits? Could he stay aggressive without being reckless? And could Washington’s O-line, which had been in flux for multiple seasons, keep him upright?
Daniels soundly answered some of those questions last season, dropping his pressure-to-sack rate to 19.7 percent, according to Pro Football Focus. His ability to escape the pocket under pressure and get the ball out quickly with anticipatory throws masked some of the Commanders’ deficiencies up front while extending drives or creating points.
In the last two games, with Paul and Wylie at left and right guard, respectively, and Marcus Mariota at quarterback, the O-line allowed only 10 pressures.
Sunday’s game against the Chargers will be Daniels’ first with the rearranged front five. But the group could undergo another change soon, when right guard Sam Cosmi is activated from the physically unable to perform list.
The Commanders have said they’ve placed no restrictions on Daniels as he returns. No play count and no mandates on how to play.
Commanders.com
Both the Washington Commanders and the Los Angeles Chargers are coming off brutal losses, although their Week 4 results exposed different issues in each team’s game play. Washington’s defense had trouble stopping Atlanta on all fronts, allowing the Falcons’ offense 435 total yards (307 passing/128 rushing) and 6.8 yards per play. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. had his way, finishing with a 76.9% pass completion rating, throwing for 313 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Atlanta’s tandem running backs in Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier rushed for a combined 33 carries and 126 yards, with Robinson picking up an additional 106 yards on four receptions.
The Chargers, on the other hand, are facing offensive line injuries that are starting to permeate the team’s offensive productivity. Los Angeles’ O-line was down three starters in Rashawn Slater (Achilles), Joe Alt (high ankle sprain) and Mekhi Becton (concussion) against the New York defense Sunday afternoon and it showed. The Commanders could see new faces protecting quarterback Justin Herbert, as the team reportedly signed offensive lineman Michael Dunn to the practice squad.
The offensive line currently ranks No. 26 in the league in pass block win rate (55%), allowing the Giants six sacks and 22 pressures on Herbert. He was pressured on 45.8% of dropbacks, with New York’s edge rushers Abdul Carter, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux combining for 10 hits and 20 overall pressures on Herbert. Herbert also had a 56.1% passer completion for 203 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions – both of which the Giants capitalized off of with a field goal...
